By Barbara Morris
I was first introduced to the Electric Industry Center in Flushing many years ago, when it permitted the NYPD Patrol Borough Queens South Command to hold its talent shows in its beautiful theater. This year, on April 24, the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the EIC held a breakfast in its auditorium as a showcase for its 62nd-annual Scholarship Awards Program.
Founder Harry Van Arsdale Jr. was blessed with foresight and ingenuity that have allowed many people to reap the benefits of this and other programs. There were 45 scholarships awarded with three additional ones in the Alumni Association of Scholarship Winners 21st Annual Essay Contest.
Cody Nastasia, Joanna Cristadoro and Krista Witkowski placed first, second and third, respectively. Congratulations to the winners and Local Union No. 3 I.B.E.W. for its programs encouraging education and providing advantages for their members and families. For other member programs and events, call the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund at 718-591-2000, Ext. 1530.
Unfortunately, space limitations prevent further details about the above because there are still details of opportunities learned about at the 2010 Going Green in Queens event we promised to tell you about.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation provides early spring applications for school tree seedlings. The deadline was March 31, so apply early next year. The DEC also has two summer education camps for boys and girls for ages 12 to 14 and 15 to 17. Applications are available online at dec.ny.gov, keyword “summer camps,” or write to DEC Summer Environmental Education Camps, 625 Broadway, 23rd Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4500 or call 518-402-8014.
Learn rules about caring for forests. Learn about backyard bugs and how trees conserve energy, improve air and water quality, etc.; fresh and saltwater fish; and fishing in the fresh waters of Long Island and the city.
Health advisories on eating sportfish state we should generally eat no more than one-half pound of meat per week from the state’s fresh waters. We were also given information and photos about state campsites and general canning tips. For information, call 1-800-456-CAMP or visit fsc.org.
The DEC also gave us an opportunity to get a free copy of New York State Conservationist, which depicts ways the DEC conserves and protects New York’s natural resources. To subscribe, call 1-800-678-6399 or visit theconservationist.org. It is published bimonthly at 625 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4502. You can call 518-402-8047.
The American Small Craft Association — visit sailtasca.org or call 718-699-1957 — makes “safe boating available and affordable to all New Yorkers” and is “a school and club dedicated to safety on the water and regular access to sailing and other small craft.” It is all-volunteer a provides beating training services. The summer 2010 basic sailing course application deadline is July 5. There it a non-refundable fee.
Applicants must be 16 and older. The July 10 session ends Aug. 28. The first classroom lecture is July 10 from 10 a.m. to noon, with a make-up lecture July 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second session is July 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a make-up lecture July 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The swim test is Aug. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cross Island YMCA at 238-10 Hillside Ave. in Bellerose.
The West Cunningham Park Civic Association, represented by its president, Bob Harris, was there to invite you to visit that beautiful park and see its special butterfly garden.
The Immigrants & Parks Collaborative, funded by the J.M. Kaplan Fund, is a group of seven organizations committed to making opportunities for creative civic engagement in parks. Contact Silvett Garcia, the fund’s park advocacy coordinator, at 212-627-2227, Ext. 230.
The Queens Community House offers programs and services for youth, adults, families and the elderly. It is part of the IPC. Contact it at 718-592-5757.
There is more to come next time, but in the meantime, congratulations to our Bronx Zoo lion neighbors on the birth of their three adorable cubs.
